With Memorial Day weekend behind us, pool season is officially here! As National Water Safety Month comes to a close, it’s time to home in on the kiddos’ water safety and swim skills. Here are some swim schools to keep on your radar in the Charleston area . . .
Charleston Area Swim Schools
Mount Pleasant
- Kids First Swim School
Queensborough Shopping Plaza
1000 Johnny Dodds Blvd. Suite #104, Mount Pleasant
843-856-4301
Ages: 2 months on up
Classes: Mommy & Me, small group lessons, private instruction
Sessions: On-going classes year-round
Registration: Online; no application fee.
Tuition: Group classes start at $110 per month (four 30-minute classes), $27.50/class billable on a monthly basis.
Fine print: Check online for class availability!
- Brighton Swim Academy
3407 Salterbeck Street, Mount Pleasant
843-834-6299
Email
Ages: 4 months old to adult, private from 2-12 years
Classes: Baby, toddler, child, small group lessons; semi-private and private lessons.
Sessions: On-going classes year-round.
Registration: Online; $40 annual family registration fee.
Tuition:$27.50 for Brighton Baby and 30-minute group lessons; $38 for 20-minute private; $54 for 30-minute private; $76 for 30-minute semi-private ($38 per child). Monthly billing. Check website for availability and pricing.
Fine print: Winner of 2023 Best of Mount Pleasant award for Best Place for Swim Lessons!
Summerville & Hanahan
- Sink or Swim School
411 Golf Road, Summerville, SC 29483
843-900-0172
Email
Ages: 8 months old on up
Classes: Rookie Swim Lessons (8 months to 4 years); Big Rookie Swim Lessons (4 years and up); SINKorSwim Stroke & Returning Students; Group Swim Lessons.
Sessions: Seasonal availability at pools in Summerville, Hanahan-Otranto, and Hanahan-Tanner Plantation (group lessons available at Summerville location only).
Registration: Online; $40 non-refundable annual fee.
Tuition: Rookie Swim Lessons: $33/15-minute lesson; Big Rookie Swim Lessons & SINKorSwim-Stroke/Returning Student: $54/30-minute lesson; Group Swim Lessons: $25/30-minute lesson. Sibling and military discounts are available.
Fine print: 2021, 2019 & 2017 Lowcountry Parent Magazine’s Mom’s Choice Awards Winner!
Multiple Locations & Mobile Options
- LowCountry Swim School
North Charleston; Goose Creek; West Ashely; Mount Pleasant (multiple locations); Daniel Island; Summerville, and mobile options
843-981-2885
Email
Ages: 6 months to 16+ years; adult swim lessons also available
Classes: Offering group lessons and privates at community and private pools throughout the Charleston area as well as at the North Charleston Aquatic Center. Special needs private lessons and other aquatics training are available.
Sessions: On-going classes year-round. Summer sessions vary by pool. Winter sessions (October 2-May 31) are held at the North Charleston Aquatic Center. Check website for sessions and availability.
Registration: Online; $35 annual family registration fee. A minimum of 2 months of lessons are required.
Tuition: Varies by class/level, starting at $31.20/group class and $41.80/private per 30-minute lesson. Check the website for classes, levels, and pricing.
Fine print: Only three students max per swim class.
- Charleston Swim School
Downtown Charleston, North Charleston, West Ashley, John’s Island, Daniel Island, Summerville, James Island, and Mount Pleasant
Ages: Offering Group and Private Lessons in 30- and 45-minute increments; Group classes have up to 3-4 children or 6 babies; free infant swim classes ages 2-3 months.
Classes: Group lessons and private are available at community pools throughout the Charleston area. Class sizes of up to 3-4 children for group sessions or 6 babies for infant lessons.
Sessions: Check the website for seasonal availability, sessions, and residential requirements.
Registration: Online; an annual registration fee of $45.
Tuition: $31.50 for group classes; $50.40 for private. Pro-rated monthly billing. Military and sibling discounts are available.
Fine print: Swim lessons and military preparation. 2022 Charleston Choice Award Winner, 2023 Lowcountry Parent Magazine’s Mom’s Choice Awards Winner, and the #1 rated swim school in SC!
- British Swim School
Summerville, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant
843-867-3820
Email
Ages: 3 months to adult
Classes: Group lessons available for infants and toddlers (water acclimation and water survival) to advanced swimmers (stroke development) and adults.
Sessions: Year-round availability at North Charleston location; seasonal availability at Mount Pleasant and Summerville pools.
Registration: Annual registration fee of $39 for individuals; $50 for families.
Tuition: $35 per 30-minute class; $5 discount for 2 classes per week or more than one child enrolled.
Fine print: Curriculum-based swim lessons focusing on water acclimation, water survival, and stroke development.
- MarTar Swim School
Hanahan; Mount Pleasant; mobile options available
Email
Ages: 2 months to adult
Classes: Begin-to-swim programs offered with private, semi-private, or parent/child instruction
Sessions: Seasonal availability at Tanner Plantation pool and private pool in Rivers Reach neighborhood; check with the school for mobile availability.
Registration: The registration form is available to download from website. One-time $40 registration fee and six pre-paid lessons are required for new clients.
Tuition: Advanced payment is required for a 6-week session. Check with school for class pricing. Sibling and military discounts are available. Flexible payment options.
Fine print: Specialize in swim lessons for all abilities and special needs; Adaptive Aquatics certified.
- The City of Charleston’s Recreation Department
Select pools in downtown Charleston, West Ashley, and James Island Recreation Center
Ages: 6 months to 5+ years
Classes: swim lessons with certified trainers.
Registration: Advanced registration is required in person.
- Starfish Swim School®
West County Aquatic Center in Hollywood
Ages: age 3-12
Tuition: scholarships are available to eligible individuals and families.
Additional Resources for Swimming and Beyond
- City of Charleston Swim Lessons
- Charleston County Parks Swim Lessons
- National Drowning Prevention Alliance
- National Recreation and Parks Association
- National Water Safety Month
- Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
- Red Cross
- World Waterpark Association
- CDC Drowning Facts
- Press Release: National Water Safety Month Celebrates 20th Anniversary
- Press Release: The 6 Most Important Ways to Make Water Recreation Safer This Summer
Hi, thanks so much for featuring our swim school, Charleston Swim School. Our non baby groups only go to 3-4 children max. We gave an annual registration fee of $45. We no longer offer relaxation therapy. We also won 2022 Charleston Choice Award & are #1 rated in SC on Google. 🙂 https://charlestonswim.com
Thanks so much for letting us know, Amy! We’ve updated the piece with this additional information. We appreciate you reaching out!
Comments are closed.